• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.68-70
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• 2017

The actual incidence of multiple thymoma is unknown and rarely reported because it remains controversial whether the cases represent a disease of multicentric origin or a disease resulting from intrathymic metastasis. In this case, a patient underwent total thymectomy for multiple thymoma with myasthenia gravis via bilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery. A well-encapsulated multinodular cystic mass, measuring $57mm{\times}50mm{\times}22mm$ in the right lobe of the thymus, and a well-encapsulated mass, measuring $32mm{\times}15mm{\times}14mm$ in the left lobe, were found. Both tumors were type B2 thymoma. Few cases of multiple thymoma with myasthenia gravis have ever been reported in the literature. We report a case of synchronous multiple thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.384-388
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• 2014

Background: Recently, single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has been proposed as an alternative to the conventional three-port VATS for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). The aim of this study is to evaluate the early outcomes of the single-port VATS for PSP. Methods: VATS was performed for PSP in 52 patients from March 2012 to March 2013. We reviewed the medical records of these 52 patients, retrospectively. Nineteen patients underwent the conventional three-port VATS (three-port group) and 33 patients underwent the single-port VATS (single-port group). Both groups were compared according to the operation time, number of wedge resections, amount of chest tube drainage during the first 24 hours after surgery, length of chest tube drainage, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain score, and postoperative paresthesia. Results: There was no difference in patient characteristics between the two groups. There was no difference in the number of wedge resections, operation time, or amount of drainage between the two groups. The mean lengths of chest tube drainage and hospital stay were shorter in the single-port group than in the three-port group. Further, there was less postoperative pain and paresthesia in the single-port group than in the three-port group. These differences were statistically significant. The mean size of the surgical wound was 2.10 cm (range, 1.6 to 3.0 cm) in the single-port group. Conclusion: Single-port VATS for PSP had many advantages in terms of the lengths of chest tube drainage and hospital stay, postoperative pain, and paresthesia. Single-port VATS is a feasible technique for PSP as an alternative to the conventional three-port VATS in well-selected patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2017

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) anatomic lung resections are gradually becoming the standard surgical approach in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The technique is being applied in cases of larger tumors depending on the experience of the surgical team. The objective of this study was to compare early surgical and survival outcomes in patients undergoing anatomic pulmonary resections using VATS and thoracotomy techniques for clinical T2 NSCLC during the adaptation period of the surgical team to the VATS approach. Methods: The data of all patients who underwent anatomic pulmonary resection for NSCLC using VATS and open techniques since April 2012 were recorded to create a prospective lung cancer database. Clinical T2 NSCLC patients who underwent VATS anatomic lung resection were identified and compared with cT2 patients who underwent open resection. Results: Between April 2012 and August 2014, 269 anatomical resections for NSCLC were performed (80 VATS and 189 thoracotomy). Thirty-four VATS patients who had clinical T2 disease were identified and stage-matched to thoracotomy patients. The average tumor diameter was comparable ($34.2{\pm}11.1{\times}29.8{\pm}10.1mm$ vs. $32.3{\pm}9.8{\times}32.5{\pm}12.2mm$, p=0.4). Major complications were higher in the thoracotomy group (n=0 vs. n=5, p=0.053). There was no 30-day mortality, and the 2-year survival rate was 91% for VATS and 82% for thoracotomy patients (p=0.4). Conclusion: VATS anatomic resections in clinical T2 NSCLC tumors are safe and have perioperative and pathologic outcomes similar to those of thoracotomy, while remaining within the learning curve.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.387-392
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• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP). Methods: Twenty-four patients who were scheduled to undergo single-port VATS for SSP were studied. The medical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed. The mean follow-up duration was $26.1{\pm}19.8$ months. In order to evaluate the feasibility of single-port VATS for SSP, the postoperative results of single-port VATS (n=15) in patients with emphysema were compared with those of emphysematous patients who underwent three-port VATS (n=15) during the study period. Results: Single-port VATS was feasible in 19 of 24 patients (79.2%), while an additional port was needed in five patients. In the single-port VATS patients, the median operation time, duration of chest tube drainage, and hospital stay were 84.0 minutes, one day, and two days, respectively. Postoperative complications included prolonged chest tube drainage for more than five days (n=1), wound infection (n=1), and vocal fold palsy (n=1). No recurrence of pneumothorax was observed during the follow-up period. The median operation time, duration of chest tube drainage, and hospital stay of the emphysematous patients who underwent single-port VATS were shorter than those who underwent three-port VATS group (p<0.05 for all parameters). Conclusion: Single-port VATS proved to be a feasible procedure in the treatment of patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2012

Background: The aims of the study were to determine the accuracy of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in detecting pulmonary metastasis through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), a technique that allows the excisional biopsy of small pulmonary nodules in patients with known malignancies. Materials and Methods: Between October 2007 and April 2010, 28 patients with known malignancies and small pulmonary nodules underwent VATS excisional biopsies. All patients were in follow-up for a previously treated malignancy. The malignancies included the following: colorectum (9), breast (6), head and neck (5), stomach (3), lymph (1), ovary (1), uterus (1), bladder (1), and liver (1). Results: There were 16 men and 12 women whose mean age was 56.7 years old (range, 38 to 77 years). The sizes of the mean nodules removed were 11.3 mm (range, 7 to 21 mm). Diagnoses included metastatic (11), bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (1), primary adenocarcinoma (1), pulmonary tuberculosis (6), fibrosis (5), organizing pneumonia (3), lymphoid hyperplasia (1). Among these lesions, 46.4% were malignant. Conclusion: True positive FDG-PET was 39.2%. FDG-PET is not a sensitive test in the evaluation of patients with a history of an extrathoracic malignancy and newly diagnosed small pulmonary nodules. VATS excision allows the early diagnosis of small pulmonary nodules, with low morbidity, in patients with known malignancies.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.302-311
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• 2024

Background: Unexpected conversion to thoracotomy during planned video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) can lead to poor outcomes and comparatively high morbidity. This study was conducted to assess preoperative risk factors associated with unexpected thoracotomy conversion and to develop a risk scoring model for preoperative use, aimed at identifying patients with an elevated risk of conversion. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 1,506 patients who underwent surgical resection for non-small cell lung cancer. To evaluate the risk factors, univariate analysis and logistic regression were performed. A risk scoring model was established to predict unexpected thoracotomy conversion during VATS of the lung, based on preoperative factors. To validate the model, an additional cohort of 878 patients was analyzed. Results: Among the potentially significant clinical variables, male sex, previous ipsilateral lung surgery, preoperative detection of calcified lymph nodes, and clinical T stage were identified as independent risk factors for unplanned conversion to thoracotomy. A 6-point risk scoring model was developed to predict conversion based on the assessed risk, with patients categorized into 4 groups. The results indicated an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.747, with a sensitivity of 80.5%, specificity of 56.4%, positive predictive value of 1.8%, and negative predictive value of 91.0%. When applied to the validation cohort, the model exhibited good predictive accuracy. Conclusion: We successfully developed and validated a risk scoring model for preoperative use that can predict the likelihood of unplanned conversion to thoracotomy during VATS of the lung.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.155-155
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• 2015

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.190-196
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• 2017

Background: The feasibility of single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (SPVATS) for primary lung cancer is not well understood. In this study, we compared SP and multi-port (MP) VATS for the surgical treatment of patients with primary lung cancer. Methods: Surgical treatment was performed in 181 patients with primary lung cancer at Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital between June 2012 and December 2015. A propensity-matched analysis was used to compare the postoperative outcomes and to evaluate the comparative feasibility and safety of SPVATS and MPVATS. Results: There were 37 patients in the SPVATS group and 67 patients in the MPVATS group. Propensity matching produced 32 pairs. The operation time (210 minutes versus 200 minutes, p=0.11), volume of the estimated blood loss (170 mL versus 160 mL, p=0.19), duration of chest tube drainage (5 days versus 6 days, p=0.66), and length of hospital stay (9 days versus 10 days, p=0.89) were similar between the 2 groups. Conclusion: In our study, SPVATS for primary lung cancer was safe and feasible in well selected patients. A prospective, randomized study with a large group and long-term follow-up is necessary to evaluate the clinical feasibility and the advantages of SPVATS for primary lung cancer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.120-125
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• 2023

Background: Multiple rib fractures are common in blunt chest trauma. Until recently, most surgical rib fixations for multiple rib fractures were performed via open thoracotomy. However, due to the invasive nature of tissue dissection and the resulting large wound, an alternative endoscopic approach has emerged that minimizes the postoperative complications caused by the manipulation of injured tissue and lung during an open thoracotomy. Methods: Our study concentrated on patients with multiple rib fractures who underwent surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) between June 2018 and May 2020. We found 27 patients who underwent SSRF using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The study design was a retrospective review of the patients' charts and surgical records. Results: No intraoperative events or procedure-related deaths occurred. Implant-related irritation occurred in 4 patients, and 1 death resulted from concomitant trauma. The average hospital stay was 30.2±20.1 days, and ventilators were used for 12 of the 22 patients admitted to the intensive care unit. None of the patients experienced major pulmonary complications such as pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion: Minimally invasive rib stabilization surgery with the assistance of a thoracoscope is expected to become more widely used in patients with multiple rib fractures. This method will also assist patients in a quick recovery.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.89-92
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• 2016

Non-surgical traumatic chylothorax following blunt chest trauma is rare, with only a few cases having been reported. In general, conservative treatment measures are recommended as initial management of traumatic chylothorax; these include closed thoracostomy, dietary restriction, and parenteral nutrition. There are few reports of surgery for traumatic chylothorax. We report our experience with thoracic duct ligation using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in a patient with chylothorax following blunt chest injury with associated fractures of the thoracic spine.